Nice deal for a BBB drug in early development stage.
 
 

https://endpts.com/sanofi-joins-the-alpha-synuclein-bandwagon-handing-korean-biotech-75m-for-preclinical-bispecific/
 
January 12, 2022 07:18 AM EST Deals
Sanofi joins the alpha-synuclein bandwagon, handing Korean biotech $75M for preclinical bispecific
Amber Tong
Senior Editor
Alpha-synuclein is gaining clout in the growing effort to crush Parkinson’s disease at its roots.
 
Sanofi became the latest to join the gang late Tuesday, turning to Korea’s ABL Bio to license a preclinical bispecific antibody targeting both alpha-synuclein and IGF1R — a design that it believes can lead to better penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
 
The French pharma giant is handing its new biotech partner $75 million in upfront cash, on top of $985 million in biobucks, $45 million of which will be near-term milestones.
 
ABL will complete the preclinical work and Phase I trial for the drug, ABL301, before turning over full control to Sanofi for further clinical work, regulatory approval and commercialization.
 
Ever since scientists established a genetic (and later pathophysiological) link between alpha-synuclein and Parkinson’s, there’s been no lack of attempts to target the neuronal protein.
 
Roche and Prothena have a late-stage antibody in the race, while Novartis recently picked up what it said would be the first oral options from UCB.
 
Parkinson’s, much like other neurodegenerative diseases, has been tripping up a number of players big and small. Sanofi axed its own Parkinson’s drug, venglustat, after it flunked a Phase II trial.
 
By binding to the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, which is commonly found on the brain surface, ABL301 promises to carry the anti-alpha-synuclein antibody across the BBB and thus give the drug a better chance at actually influencing the disease.

https://www.ablbio.com/en/company/pipeline05
 

• Pipeline

ABL301
 

• Program Target

SNCA x IGF1R
 

• Disease Indication

Parkinson’s Disease
 

• Development Stage

Early Development
Summary
Propagation of aggregated form of alpha synuclein (α-syn) appears to be critical for etiology of Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy. ABL301 specifically targets aggregated forms of α-syn, potential disease target, devoid of its normal, monomeric form. Since poor delivery of antibody into the brain is thought to be one of the major obstacles for CNS-related drug development, ABL301 has a shuttle antibody to allow improved delivery of antibody therapeutics into the brain. These dual mechanisms will provide more efficient reach of antibody therapeutics to its target, leading to better therapeutic efficacy than conventional monoclonal antibody.